Reasons Why You Should Care About Electric Cycles

Electric cycles are dead, dead essential, and here’s why… 

Remember the lost socks in your laundry that magically disappeared and never reunited? Or when you try to sneak your way into the kitchen without waking up your pet? It’s a struggle others won’t care about, but you do. When Ogden Bolton Jr patented the first electric cycle in 1895, the tech was too new and the market wasn’t ready for it, it was a struggle in its own way. 

Fast forward to the invention of laptops, mobiles, and whatnot, electric cycles have come a long way, and it’s only getting more futuristic as we go forward. As the world gets more and more environment conscious, it’s time you start exploring too. 

“But…but…isn’t an electric cycle…a cycle?” Well, yes and no. Whereas a cycle only lets you pedal and change gears, an electric cycle has throttle and pedal assist technology in place that lets you zoom past at your own pace (fun, no?). 

The battery attached on the electric cycle increases the range and helps you travel longer distances than an average human could on a traditional cycle. It’s built in ways that can withstand harsh weather conditions, cruise through any terrain, and the fancy electric cycles now come with a lot of added tech for you to commute or offroad without breaking a sweat, some call it the ‘MUVs’ of cycles. 

There is no way one of us has never gotten stuck in traffic. The smoke, the fumes, the heat, and there’s you…oh poor you…waiting to get home after a long tiring day at work and all you think about is if only you had an electric cycle right now. With countries gearing up with smart cycling routes to pave the way for cyclists, things are only going to get easier. One can easily manoeuvre through their daily commute without any hassle. Need for speed? Just pull the throttle and cut through your boring everyday routine with a pinch of adrenaline. 

Without a doubt, it’s cost effective. The batteries are designed in such an efficient way that it hardly takes Rs 3-6 per charge depending on the city you are in. Take a cab for example, the amount you paid to get home from work last night is 10 times of what one charge would cost your pocket.The cost of replacing the batteries too is going to get cheaper as we proceed in future. 

All big challenges start with a small one. Electric cycles leave no carbon footprint and have zero emission contribution to the environment. The batteries have a very long shelf life and the source of power to charge the batteries can also come from renewable resources like solar and hydropower which can further reduce the negative impact on the environment. 

Still not convinced? Ah! You think it’s easier to pedal now that it has a motor? Well, the throttle and pedal assist is an ‘option’ for a reason so you can also use it like a traditional cycle. Need to explore the rocky mountains on your MTB? Just take out the battery and bolt away! Want to sweat out your weekend mornings but in a different way? Go explore the roads not taken! It’s as easy to operate as failing your new year resolutions. 

It’s innovative and comes in all shapes and sizes. Need something to commute on every day? Want something that folds more than your clothes in a suitcase on its way to vacation? Or something that screams mountains and terrains waiting to get conquered? You got it all. And if you are someone who wants all in one, there are hybrids! Electric cycles never disappoint you. 

Countries globally have started incorporating safe lanes with the Netherlands leading the way with a whopping 35,000 km of lanes for cyclists. But, where does India stand? As of 2021, 41 cities had identified 400 km lanes dedicated for cyclists, with India’s first 23 km long solar powered roof launched in Hyderabad. Climate change, poor air quality, and traffic congestion will only pave the way for a more efficient method of commuting in the future, and electric cycles are one way to do it. 

Things we do not care about are the ones that make us regret later, let’s do things a little bit differently this time.